Marine Technical Advisor, WCS Myanmar

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science-based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of poor rural people whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

WCS Myanmar Program Overview:

WCS’s Marine Conservation Program works in over 20 countries and all five oceans to protect key marine habitats and marine wildlife, to end overfishing, and to protect key species groups, including marine mammals, sharks and rays, and corals, as well as to inspire an ocean constituency. WCS has worked in Myanmar since the early 1990s, and now manages a $3 million/year program with over 100 staff in-country active across the terrestrial and marine realms. With the dramatic changes in government and civil society, Myanmar is poised to reform its management of marine resources, and WCS is positioned in a key role to assist in those reforms.          

Job Summary:

This position will provide direct technical support and build local capacity for scientifically informed Marine Protected Area (MPA) design, nearshore marine habitat and species prioritization, ecological monitoring, MPA management planning, as well as managing and monitoring community-focused, nearshore fisheries co-management initiatives.

Major Responsibilities:

• Work with WCS staff and partners to design and implement robust ecological and socioeconomic methodologies to support MPA creation and establishment of management strategies.
• Work with WCS staff and partners to provide guidance for successful community-focused, nearshore fisheries co-management initiatives.
• Ensure appropriate collection, analysis, dissemination and publication of field data.
• Provide technical support, as needed, to field staff in program/project work-plan development, financial planning and field-level implementation.
• Prepare recommendations to address any problems or constraints with the technical implementation of WCS marine conservation activities in Myanmar, and in consultation with line-management take the lead, as appropriate, in implementing those recommendations.
• Assist in preparation of annual work-plans and periodic reports as required by WCS and donor partners, including appropriate content and clarity of all reports.
• Assist in identifying funding opportunities to support marine conservation in Myanmar. Provide technical support to WCS staff and partners in grant proposal, budget and report preparation. Engage with public (multi- and bilateral) and private donors, as required.
• Work with the WCS Myanmar Country Director to coordinate and facilitate capacity building, training and professional development of current staff and partners.
• Work with the WCS marine and communications teams to publicize achievements through popular, social and scientific media, and publish results in scientific journals.
  

Minimum Requirements:

• Ph.D./ MSc., or equivalent experience and strong record in tropical marine conservation science, marine ecology or biology, including conservation and program and project management experience.
• Specific knowledge of tropical nearshore ecosystems and associated species, including coral reefs, seagrass, and mangroves, particularly in Southeast Asia, is an advantage
• Specific experience in MPA design, monitoring and management, preferably in a developing country setting, is required
• Ability to provide guidance to local staff, communities and partners on how to effectively implement nearshore fisheries co-management areas
• Ability to conduct practical research and analysis, with strong synthesis skills.
• Demonstrable experience of fundraising, donor proposal and report writing (narrative and financial).
• Ability to work sensitively and effectively with people of diverse cultures, value systems, perspectives and levels of education, and to manage staff in these contexts.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Willingness to live and travel within Myanmar.

Application Process:

Interested candidates, who meet the above qualifications should apply by emailing an application letter and CV together with salary requirements and the names and contact information of three references to: globalrecruitment@wcs.org by December 10^th, 2018 deadline. Please include “Marine Technical Advisor, WCS Myanmar” in the subject line of your email.

In addition, please note that all candidates must also apply online via the WCS career portal at: http://www.wcs.org/about-us/careers

WCS is an equal opportunity employer and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value

The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on age, color, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws and regulations

Please note that only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview.